Mounties lean on Gioglio in standout season

Saturday

STROUDSBURG – Entering her senior season, Kinley Gioglio knew her time had come.

She wasn’t going to let anything stop that.

After primarily playing first base as a sophomore and junior, the Stroudsburg senior took over the pitching duties in 2019 as the Mounties cruised to another Mountain Division softball title.

“I was ready. Two years prepared me and I was ready to come in my senior year and dominate,” Gioglio said. “It was my time.”

And she dominated all right. The Mounties posted 15 victories this season and Gioglio won 14 of those in the circle.

Gioglio's impressive senior season and her impact to her team earns her the 2019 Pocono Record softball Player of the Year.

She was 14-5 overall with a 2.20 ERA and struck out 98 batters. The lefty was precise from the circle allowing only 18 walks in 101 1/3 innings pitched.

But her best work came against the Mountain Division. She went 10-0 in those games with an amazingly low 0.79 ERA. Gioglio helped Stroudsburg beat rival Pocono Mountain East three times, including in the first round of the District 11 6A playoffs.

“They were strong and tough teams, but we focused and prepared for them and I had all the confidence in my team behind me and offensively,” Gioglio said. “Our coaches were there for us too and always believed in us.”

The Mounties started the season on a roll rattling off eight straight victories, but an unfortunate illness put an abrupt halt to Gioglio’s season.

Gioglio needed to be hospitalized for four days with a case of strep pneumonia.

“It was really disheartening and was not part of the plan at all,” she said. “I did what I could, progressed each game and tried to do the best I could.”

“Each game I’d throw an extra inning to get back into the swing of things because there was a bulk of the season left especially the playoffs.”

Stroudsburg head coach Maynard Frantz applauded his pitcher’s dedication and work ethic through the offseason to get to where she is today.

Gioglio, alongside her teammates, worked hard in the summer and winter with 8 a.m. sessions in the batting cages and pitching lessons.

Their efforts showed on the field as Mounties qualified for the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference and District 11 playoffs.

"Our team was so good," Gioglio said. "We all meshed together really well - we all got along and it was an important part to that success.”

"We had a pretty strong core of seniors. We had four returning senior starters and we all played well together and supported one another through our ups and downs."

Gioglio's arm isn't all she brought to the Mounties. She had another productive year in the batter's box and fielded her position well, helping her own cause in the circle.

She batted .368 this season with 11 RBIs and only struck out twice all year.

"She came through with some clutch hits and moved the runners when we needed her to," Frantz said. "She can run the bases quickly too. She did everything we asked of her this season."

She will take the next step playing college softball at Lock Haven University in the fall. Gioglio, also a strong student, plans to major in Business Management and Administration.

“It’s such a great school - they have a great softball program and even then their academics are really good," she said. "Last year they won their conference so they stepped it up and have extra good people. I really like it there and I felt at home.”

The Bald Eagles, who went on a roll in the postseason to win the PSAC Championship, get a determined player ready to make an impact.